Lipscomb's Lady Bisons survived one of their most physical games in recent memory, but found themselves on the wrong end of a 64-52 score Monday night against Tennessee State University at Allen Arena.

It was the first victory for Tennessee State since the 2004-2005 season and their first in three tries this season.

"Tennessee State has a lot of new players," Lipscomb coach Frank Bennett said. "They are very athletic team. They did a nice job. They are going to be a better team this year."

The Lady Bisons fell to 2-4, after having won two of their last three games heading into the Tennessee State game. Tennessee State had not played since Nov. 22. The Lady Bisons played Friday and Saturday night in the Lady Tigers Classic at the University of Memphis.

"I thought we were flat," Bennett said. "We just didn't play as sharp as we needed to play.

"I talked to the team and told them they have to make a decision. Are they going to be discouraged that we have lost our last two games or are we going to come out ready to play the next time out. I think it is more of our mental attitude."

Tennessee State used its athleticism to its advantage, double-and -triple-teaming in the lane and around the basket.

The Lady Bisons, who have worked to cut down on their turnovers, committed 12 in the first half. They also forced Tennessee State into 11 first half miscues. The Lady Bisons made only eight turnovers in the second half while Tennessee State committed

Tennessee State dominated on the boards in the first half hauling down 26 rebounds compared to 15 from the Lady Bisons. For the game Tennessee State held a 48-30 edge on the boards.

The first half was a see-saw affair with four lead changes and six ties. Tennessee State made a late surge to take a 29-23 advantage at intermission.

Center Penny Jones was the only Lady Bisons player scoring in double figures with 16 points. She hit six-of-12 shots from the field and was four-of-four at the free throw line. Jones also led the Lady Bisons with seven rebounds.

"Penny is shooting around 61 percent for the year, but she is not getting enough shots," Bennett said. "We are a little hesitant to make the feed into the post when it is available. We have to get the ball to her more often and in a position to do something for us. I think she will give us some good results."

"Tennessee State was really locking into our perimeter shooting. We should have made them pay for it in the post.:

The Lady Bisons were 19-of-54 from the field for 35.2 percent. From 3-point range the Lady Bisons hit only four-of 23 attempts for 17.4 percent. At the free throw line the Lady Bisons hit 10-of-12 for 83.3 percent.

Tennessee State placed four players in double figures. Kendra Appling scored a game-high 17 points and made a game-high six steals. Jheri Booker added 12 followed by Obiageli Okafor with 11 and Meesha Jackson with 10. Jackson finished with a double-double as she added a game-high 11 rebounds.

Tennessee State shot 36.9 percent (24-of-65) from the field. They made one of only two 3-point attempts. At the line Tennessee State was 15-of-21 for 88.9 percent.

The Lady Bisons are back home again Thursday night at 6 to open the Atlantic Sun Conference portion of the season against Jacksonville at Allen Arena. The game is part of double-header with the Bisons.

"We have to start establishing our home court," Bennett said. "We have to come out and play aggressively and play well. I think we are a better shooting team than what we have shot. I think we can score more inside.

"We also need to be more efficient. We turned the ball over a lot early in the game and that really gave Tennessee State confidence. We would like to jump out and get a lead and not let the visiting team get confidence. We didn't do that."